University College Cork

1. Home
2. Spanish, Portuguese, and Latin American Studies
3. People
4. Aisling O'Donnell

‍

Biography

I have been teaching in UCC since 2013. I completed my PhD in Sociolinguistics (TCD). I also hold a MA in Applied Linguistics (TCD), a Higher Diploma in Spanish (UCC) and a Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (UCC). My research is mainly in the areas of sociolinguistics, focusing on language variation and change in global varieties of language, translation, and intercultural communication.‍

Research Interests

Language variation and change in post-colonial languages Terms of address in Varieties of Spanish and Portuguese Lexical variation in Colombian Spanish The influence of neoliberalism on Intercultural communication in society‍

Professional Activities

‍

Professional Associations

	Association	Function	From / To
	Irish Association of Applied Linguists	member	15-SEP-21 /
	Association of Spanish Teachers Ireland	member	30-MAR-23 /

‍

Education

	Year	Institution	Qualification	Subject
	2004	Trinity College Dublin	MPhil	Applied Linguistics
	2013	Trinity College Dublin	PhD	Sociolinguistics
	2012	University College Cork	Higher Diploma	Spanish

‍

Languages

	Language	Reading	Writing	Speaking
	Spanish	Fluent	Fluent	Fluent
	Portuguese	Functional	Functional	Functional

‍

Other Activities

	Description
	Editor for Teanga, the Journal of the Irish Association for Applied Linguistics

‍

Teaching Activities

‍

Teaching Interests

As a teacher I believe that it is important to give students space for guided discovery, in a supportive environment and to make them feel involved in the learning process. In relation to language teaching, this space allows students to consolidate their learning and progress successfully at their own pace. I currently contribute to a range of Postgraduate programmes and department and school level mainly, but not exclusively, around the key areas linked to my research: socio and applied linguistics and intercultural communication.

• MA in Translation studies
• • LL6014 Translation and Professional Communication Skills 
• MA in Applied Linguistics
• • LL6012 Applied Aspects of Linguistics 
• MA in Global Languages and Cultures
• • LL6008 Mobility, Plurilingualism and Intercultural Communication in a Globalized World
• Higher Diploma in Spanish for Teachers
• • HS5010 Spanish Language for Post-Primary Teachers: B1 (CEFR)
  • HS5013 Intensive Spanish Language Consolidation B1 (CEFR)
  • HS5014 Spanish Translation Project
  • HS5015 Spanish Language for Post-Primary Teachers: B2 (CEFR)
  • HS5019 Intensive Spanish Language Consolidation: B2 (CEFR)
  • HS5023 Applied Project in Spanish and Latin American Studies
• Higher Diploma in Languages and Global Software Business
• • LL5014 Translation and Professional Communication Skills

‍

Recent Postgraduates

	Graduation Year	Student Name	Institution	Degree Type	Thesis Title
	2021	Xingyu Zhang	UCC	MASTER OF ARTS	A Pragmatic Study of Gender Differences in Language Use in Compliments and Compliment Responses: a case study of Desperate Housewives.
	2022	Sonia Ioana Stoichita	UCC	MASTER OF ARTS	Non-native Teacher Professional Identity Construction: The effects of agency on Teacher’s self-perception
	2023	Cristobal Pavel Gonzalez	University College Cork	MASTER OF ARTS
	2023	Gabriela Penate Lopez	University College Cork	MASTER OF ARTS	Intergenerational variations in offers and offer refusals: a postcolonial scope in Fuerteventura.
	2021	Jiale Ruan	UCC	MASTER OF ARTS	A Survey of Chinese Learning Challenges and Strategies among Ireland College English Speakers